Primeval civilization
The Proto-Vaal Civilization, also known as the Proto-Vaal, is a historic civilization of Wraeclast. Some primary figures in connection with the Proto-Vaal include Aul, the Crystal King, The First King, and The Clayshaper.
Lore
From top to bottom, these bosses can be observed at descending depths in the Azurite Mines: Ahuatotli, the Blind, Kurgal, the Blackblooded, and Aul, the Crystal King. As the depth they are buried under signify age, it can be ascertained that The Proto-Vaal is one of the oldest civlizations in Wraeclast, predating both the Vaal and the Lightless, as Aul was the last king of the Proto-Vaal civilization.
Through the name "Proto-Vaal", it can be assumed that the members of this civilization are the descendants of those of the Vaal civilization.
To date, little is known about the Proto-Vaal Civilization. However, through the Delve unique drop-only rings dropped by the aforementioned bosses, we can piece together three stages of the Proto-Vaal civilization. However, the order in which these events occurred is up for debate.
"Uzaza's" Rings
Through their flavour texts, the three Uzaza's rings are centred around the life of Ahn, the first king of the Proto-Vaal and presumably the beginning of the civilization.
| Item | Effect(s) | Flavour Text |
|---|---|---|
Uzaza's Meadow Uzaza's MeadowSapphire RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance+20 to Dexterity 5% increased maximum Energy Shield 5% increased maximum LifeCold winds blasted what little grew on the icy surface. The gifts of the land lay hidden deeper, and only patience and persistence would free them.This item can be combined with a Mountain and Valley ring at a Vendor.  | N/A | Cold winds blasted what little grew on the icy surface. The gifts of the land lay hidden deeper, and only patience and persistence would free them. |
Uzaza's Mountain Uzaza's MountainSapphire RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance+20 to Dexterity 5% increased maximum Energy Shield 5% increased maximum LifeThe narrow path turned to rough rocks that led towards the sky. One last obstacle in a life-long journey to find a land they could call home.This item can be combined with a Meadow and Valley ring at a Vendor.  | N/A | The narrow path turned to rough rocks that led towards the sky. One last obstacle in a life-long journey to find a land they could call home. |
Uzaza's Valley Uzaza's ValleySapphire RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Cold Resistance+20 to Dexterity 5% increased maximum Energy Shield 5% increased maximum LifeSheltered beneath thick ice, the river ferried fat fish towards the sea. But the First King knew the river's secret, and the fish were not the only ones who grew fat.This item can be combined with a Meadow and Mountain ring at a Vendor.  | N/A | Sheltered beneath thick ice, the river ferried fat fish towards the sea. But the First King knew the river's secret, and the fish were not the only ones who grew fat. |
"Putembo's" Rings
Through their flavour texts, the three Putembo's rings detail the early life of Aul when he was a slave, the latter end of the life of an unnamed king, and the beginning of a series of cataclysmic events that would go on to ravage the Proto-Vaal civilization.
| Item | Effect(s) | Flavour Text |
|---|---|---|
Putembo's Meadow Putembo's MeadowTopaz RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance+20 to Intelligence 5% increased maximum Energy Shield 5% increased maximum LifeThe fields were silent but for the plucking of fruits, the rustling of leaves, and the breaking of stone. No slave dared to speak or look the passing king in the eye. No one... except Aul.This item can be combined with a Mountain and Valley ring at a Vendor.  | N/A | The fields were silent but for the plucking of fruits, the rustling of leaves, and the breaking of stone. No slave dared to speak or look the passing king in the eye. No one... except Aul. |
Putembo's Mountain Putembo's MountainTopaz RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance+20 to Intelligence 5% increased maximum Energy Shield 5% increased maximum LifeHe surveyed his lands, green and vital, watched with pride as his slaves quarried fine stone for his fortress, and thanked the heavens for his many blessings. But this pilgrimage to the peak was to be his last.This item can be combined with a Meadow and Valley ring at a Vendor.  | N/A | He surveyed his lands, green and vital, watched with pride as his slaves quarried fine stone for his fortress, and thanked the heavens for his many blessings. But this pilgrimage to the peak was to be his last. |
Putembo's Valley Putembo's ValleyTopaz RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Lightning Resistance+20 to Intelligence 5% increased maximum Energy Shield 5% increased maximum LifeWith no stone for rebuilding, each storm took its toll on the village. Huts eventually collapsed, their occupants injured or dead. Bodies were left by the river, to appease the gods. But the dead would not remain there.This item can be combined with a Meadow and Mountain ring at a Vendor.  | N/A | With no stone for rebuilding, each storm took its toll on the village. Huts eventually collapsed, their occupants injured or dead. Bodies were left by the river, to appease the gods. But the dead would not remain there. |
"Ahkeli's" Rings
Through their flavour texts, the three Ahkeli's rings detail the life of The Clayshaper, a central figure in late Proto-Vaal history. They describe various cataclysmic events that happen to the Clayshaper's village and the surrounding areas, driving her to seek "safety in the clouds of ash above".
| Item | Effect(s) | Flavour Text |
|---|---|---|
Ahkeli's Meadow Ahkeli's MeadowRuby RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Fire Resistance+20 to Strength 5% increased maximum Energy Shield 5% increased maximum LifeWhere once had stood a village, lay naught but splinters. Some had once been her home. Some had once been her creations. Some had once been her family.This item can be combined with a Mountain and Valley ring at a Vendor.  | N/A | Where once had stood a village, lay naught but splinters. Some had once been her home. Some had once been her creations. Some had once been her family. |
Ahkeli's Mountain Ahkeli's MountainRuby RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Fire Resistance+20 to Strength 5% increased maximum Energy Shield 5% increased maximum LifeFleeing the destruction set upon her home, the Clayshaper sought safety in the clouds of ash above.This item can be combined with a Meadow and Valley ring at a Vendor.  | N/A | Fleeing the destruction set upon her home, the Clayshaper sought safety in the clouds of ash above. |
Ahkeli's Valley Ahkeli's ValleyRuby RingRequires Level 49+(20-30)% to Fire Resistance+20 to Strength 5% increased maximum Energy Shield 5% increased maximum LifeThe river, once fertile and fresh, and flowing briskly to the sea, now stood, stained, at a standstill. Dammed by the coagulating dead.This item can be combined with a Meadow and Mountain ring at a Vendor.  | N/A | The river, once fertile and fresh, and flowing briskly to the sea, now stood, stained, at a standstill. Dammed by the coagulating dead. |
The Language
Little is known about the language of the Proto-Vaal. However, during the fight with Aul, he speaks several lines of dialogue which can be presumed to be belonging to the Proto-Vaal civilization.
| Word/Phrase | Meaning | Source |
|---|---|---|
| uor al-Nahm | Unknown | Beginning of Aul's fight |
| habra Ahn | Unknown - Probably something about Ahn | Beginning of Aul's fight |
| utem Zazul | Unknown | Beginning of Aul's fight |
| hatem ahk Aul | Unknown - Probably something about Aul | Beginning of Aul's fight |
| hur-nak | Unknown | During Aul's fight |
| zem Zamarr | Unknown | During Aul's fight |
| otemba | Unknown | During Aul's fight |
| azu Azar | Unknown | During Aul's fight |
Note that both Ahn and Aul are capitalized. Therefore, it can be theorized that "Nahm" (and/or al-Nahm), "Zazul", "Zamarr", and "Azar" are all proper nouns in the Proto-Vaal language, if indeed there is such thing as a proper noun in that language.
Although a stretch, the phonetic similarity between "otemba" and "Putemba" can be noted.
The Murals
In the Proto-Vaal ruins, six stone murals can be found depicting various scenes with relevance to the Proto-Vaal history. The order in which they are listed is arbitrary as the true sequence of events is not known.
| Mural | Description |
|---|---|
 |
In this mural, chained slaves are depicted in the foreground carrying large stones to build a pyramid, while mountains and a shining sun stand in the background.
The story of chained slaves building with rock is told in Putembo's Mountain, and referenced to in Putembo's Valley and Putembo's Meadow. The pyramid has an obvious resemblance with the Temple of Atzoatl. Beyond just the Vaal taking inspiration from their predecessors, there are many parallels between both stories. Both involve the ruler of a civilization ordering the construction of a large pyramid for undisclosed personal reasons at the physical cost of their subjects, both constructed right before the unclear and disastrous end of their respective civilizations. Secondly, Uzaza's Mountain describes "rough rocks that led towards to sky". The pyramid is depicted as just that. Lastly, in Putembo's Mountain, an unnamed king is planning a "pilgrimage to the peak". Perhaps this "peak" has connection to the peak of the pyramid, or this "pilgrimage" was the catalyst for the destruction of the Proto-Vaal, much like Doryani's later experiment. |
 |
In this mural, a golem is depicted, with the Clayshaper weapon above it.
This mural is clearly referring to The Clayshaper, a pivotal figure in late Proto-Vaal history. She created the golems, presumably through "shaping" clay with the "Clayshaper" and giving them life. |
 |
In this mural, an erupting volcano/mountain is depicted.
The clouds of ash depicted are likely those which The Clayshaper sought refuge in, as stated in Akheli's Mountain. |
 |
In this mural, Ahn is depicted wielding Ahn's Might, Ahn's Heritage, and Ahn's Contempt.
A crowd is shown smiling and clapping, so it can be presumed that Ahn was not a tyrannical ruler. |
 |
In this mural, clouds are depicted over a land.
These clouds appear to be the storms described in Putembo's Valley. The clouds are depicted identically to the clouds of ash in the volcano mural, so it cannot be assumed that these are clouds of water and that which they are emitting is rain. |
 |
In this mural, a giant skull is depicted with a lightning bolt/crack in its forehead.
Coming out of the skull's mouth is the same as that which descended from the clouds in the previous mural, and the clouds are shown on the ground, at the base of the mural. The skull appears to have shoulders with spiked formations coming out of them. On the ground, tiny, are humans with their hands up. It is difficult to ascertain whether they are fleeing in terror, cheering the skull on, or doing something else entirely. |
Identities of Uzaza, Putembo, and Akheli
Ahkeli is known to have been the name of The Clayshaper. Thus, loosely following the pattern of the rings, it is speculated that Uzaza is the name of The First King (however, this conflicts with the theory that his name is Ahn.) and that Putembo is the name of the king who ordered stone to be "quarred" and who Aul has looked "in the eye" However, this is conjecture and never directly stated in-game.